Wednesday's Word: Teach Us To Pray

"O God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek You;
 my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs,  and is faint for You,
in a dry and weary land where no water is."
(Psalm 63:1)

Cave Entrance in Adullam
 David sought refuge here after being expelled from
 the city of Gath by King Achish.   The book of I Samuel refers
 to the Cave of Adullam where David hid from King Saul.

Photograph courtesy

 Davidbena/Wikipedia

(2014)

"LORD, teach us to pray.  Some of us are not skilled in the art of prayer.
As we draw near to Thee in thought, our spirits long for Thy Spirit and 
reach out for Thee, longing to feel Thee near.  We know not how to
 express the deepest emotions that lie hidden in our hearts.

In these moments, we have no polished phrases with which to impress
one another, no finely molded, delicately turned clauses to present to Thee.
Nor would we be confined to conventional petitions and repeat our prayers
like the unwinding of a much exposed film.

We know, our Father, that we are praying most when we are saying least.

We know that we are closest to Thee when we have left behind the things
that have held us captive for so long.

We would not be ignorant in prayer, and like children, make want lists for Thee.

Rather, we pray that Thou wilt give unto us only what we really need.

 
We would not make our prayers the importuning of Thee, an omnipotent God,
to do what we want Thee to do.  Rather, give us the vision, the courage, 
 that shall enlarge our horizons, and stretch our faith to the adventure
of seeking Thy loving will for our lives.

We thank Thee that Thou art hearing us now.

We thank Thee for the grace of prayer.

We thank Thee for Thyself.

Amen.

"Teach Us To Pray"
Reverend Peter Marshall Sr.
(1902-1949)
Scottish-American preacher
Twice-appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate.